Page 199 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

DRIVE 19: Mayo’s Coastal Splendour 197

Left Carrick Kildavnet, a 15th-century base of
the pirate Grace O’Malley

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Achill Outdoor Activity Centre
provides an extensive programme of
outdoor activities and water sports,
with a strong emphasis on education.
It caters for small and large groups,
and also provides accommodation
(Cashel-Bunacurry; 098 47253;
www.achilloutdoor.com). Blackfield
Surf School rents out surfboards,
wetsuits and equipment, and offers
9 Keem Bay 0 The Deserted Village surfing instruction at all levels (Keel
Beach; 087 249 5175; www.blackfield.
Achill Island, Co Mayo Achill Island, Co Mayo com). For individuals, Keel’s seasonal
After Dooagh the road rises This is an eerie village, strung along tourist information office, by the
dramatically. At the peak is a lay-by the southern slopes of the beach, can provide information on
with views of the pincer-shaped Slievemore Mountain. The Great lake water sports as well as scuba
beach at Keem Bay, nestling at the Famine almost certainly played a diving, pony trekking and sea
kayaking (contact details as for Cashel
foot of the Croaghaun Heights, and part in its abandonment, which was tourist information office, see left).
across to Achill Head. Descend to the hastened when grants for fishing
blissfully unspoiled sandy beach – boats became available at the end
the furthest west you can drive on of the 19th century, and its villagers
the island. Bring provisions. were enticed away from the land
ª Retrace the R319 to Keel. In the to the sea.
village is Minaun View Bar and petrol ª Retrace the route to the bridge EAT AND DRINK
station. Fork left just before here and and turn left. Keeping the slopes of
then left again. Continue for 3 km Slievemore to the left, follow signs to KEEL
(2 miles) to the Deserted Village. Doogort (4 km/2 miles). Beehive Café inexpensive
Informal café-cum-craft shop in Keel.
q Doogort Menu includes home-made soups,
Achill Island, Co Mayo sandwiches and seafood. Full licence.
Nestling in the shadow of Slievemore Keel; 098 43134; open Mar–Nov
Mountain, the island’s highest point, DOOAGH
this tiny village overlooks another fine Gielty’s Coffee Shop inexpensive
Blue Flag beach. Opposite the As the road rises up towards Keem
Cottage Coffee Shop, the Red Fox Strand, this is the last opportunity for
Press sells hand-printed books and refreshments. The busy, family-run
prints of Achill Island. Seals can be restaurant is part of Gielty’s pub and
offers a variety of dishes.
spotted in the waters around the Dooagh; 098 43119; www.gieltys.com
northern tip of Achill, while amethyst
is found in the mountains here. From DOOGORT
Doogort, follow signs for Bunacurry The Cottage Coffee Shop
but turn left for Bulls Mouth 3 km inexpensive
Just opposite the beach in Doogort,
(2 miles) before it for a secluded this excellent, family-run café provides
Above The secluded Golden Strand at Bulls beach. From Bunacurry, the R319 inexpensive home cooking.
Mouth, between Doogort and Bunacurry leads back to Achill Sound. Doogort; 098 43966; open Easter–Sep
DAY TRIP OPTIONS Westport 1, where it is easy to Beach Life
For a gentle day laced with books, art while away a morning browsing in From Achill Sound 4, take Atlantic
and music, spend some time in and bookshops and galleries. After lunch, Drive 5 to the beach at Dooega,
around Westport. To make the most drive west for an afternoon hike up carrying on via Minaun Heights 6
of Mayo’s beaches, spend a day on Croagh Patrick 2 for views over the to Keel 7 and its beach, ending up
Achill Island, starting at Achill Sound. bay. Return to Westport for a drink at Dooagh for drinking and music.
and a traditional music session.
Culture and Conviction Follow the drive route from Achill
Spend a day exploring the perimeter Follow the drive route from Westport to Sound, taking the R319 along the spine
of island-dotted Clew Bay. Start at Croagh Patrick and back again. of the island for a direct route back.

Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €25; moderate, €25–€50; expensive over €50

194-197_Back_Roads_Ireland.indd 197 11/09/17 11:38 am